Tribal Peoples​Meeting 2

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"I did not realize I stood guilty before God. Or that He could cast me into the place of fire. I lived in total ignorance and darkness."

​Did the Tribesman become guilty by hearing the gospel or did the gospel just make him aware of his guilt?

How does the answer to this question shape missions to unreached tribal peoples?

"You cannot live as an extra tool that is not being used. Many have not heard God’s talk and are on their way to the place of fire. You in America have training in learning other people’s languages and are well trained to reach people in remote corners who speak different languages. Therefore the work of teaching them is for you to do."

Are we extra tools that aren’t being used? Explain

Discuss

Excerpt from Jack Crabtree'sdescription of his journey to becoming a tribal church planter.​

​“I still had no clue what ‘being a missionary’ looked like. A good friend urged Lael and me to take a class called Perspectives on the World Christian Movement. This semester-long course infected us with God’s heart for the nations! We went through the biblical basis for missions, the history of missions in the church, the major cultural blocs that are still without the gospel, and strategic ways to reach them. We had our first exposure to tribal people. If every tribal person on the planet held hands, they would stretch around the globe more than nine times! Clearer vision: we want to plant churches among an unreached people group. We still had some fears about reaching tribal people, though. How could we live out in the jungle for 15 years? Are they just going to kick us out of a plane? How could we ever be Bible translators? Ultimately, I was challenged by Brad Buser with, ‘Why wouldn’t you go tribal?’ Good question. I didn’t have an answer, so I prayed, ‘God, I don’t really have a desire to do tribal missions, but if it’s what you have for us, give us that desire.’ During the next few months, God placed people in our path who answered tons of our questions. Then we toured the Missionary Training Center in Missouri, and we were sold! New Tribes had the most extensive pre-field training we had ever seen! Plus, they had an amazing long-term strategy for seeing indigenous churches planted, and Scriptures translated. We are so excited to be going tribal!”

What were the key elements that gave him clarity and confidence about his role in tribal missions?

“My companion saw my confusion and signaled me to stop and listen. It was several minutes before I began to pick out which sounds were which—animals, birds, insects, humans. Then, slowly, the separate voices became more distinct. Finally, after more patient listening, I heard it. Behind the hue and cry of the jungle, behind the voices of my companions, behind the quiet sound of my own breathing, was the haunting, reedy voice of the piping turkey, calling out as if it were inside a hollow tube. It was a poignant moment for me. I wondered what else I’d missed— not only in the jungle, but also in my own spiritual life. How much had I overlooked when I’d failed to patiently tune in to God’s subtle voice in the midst of life’s chaos and stresses?” (page 132-133)

Amidst all the noises of life, can you hear the piping turkey; do you hear God’s subtle voice inviting you to participate in tribal missions? Explain.

“The following morning Cam and Francisco headed southwest towards the border of El Salvador. They stopped at over thirty villages as they went and talked to countless people. At least, Francisco Díaz did. Few of the Cakchiquel Indians in the area spoke Spanish, making it difficult for Cam to have a conversation with any of them. The people also had no use for the Spanish Bibles Cam had with him. Indeed, one Indian man became indignant when Cam offered him a tract in Spanish. ‘Do you have one in Cakchiquel?’ he asked. ‘There are none. I’m sorry,’ replied Cam. ‘Well,’ retorted the man, ‘if your God is so great, why can’t he speak my language?’”​ (Kindle Locations 510-515).

This poignant question eventually launched a Bible translation ministry called Wycliffe Bible Translators. Today it has over two thousand workers using over five hundred languages in more than twenty countries. Yet, several million tribesmen who speak thousands of languages are still asking the same question.

“The greatest missionary of all is the Bible in a person’s own language. It never needs a furlough, and it is never considered a foreigner.”​

Describe how valuable has it been for you to have a Bible in an easy to read translation.